Apparatus for towing a disabled truck tractor

Abstract

A towing apparatus removably attachable to the fifth wheel of a towing vehicle includes a forward lifting beam having a distal extremity and a proximal extremity having a flat mounting face angularly disposed to the long axis of the beam and adapted to engage the fifth wheel. A rear lifting beam has a first extremity pivotably joined to the distal extremity of the forward lifting beam, and a second extremity attachable to the fifth wheel of a disabled tractor. A hydraulically activated piston, located in the forward lifting beam causes movement of the rear lifting in a vertical plane.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. Towing apparatus removably attachable to the fifth wheel of a towing vehicle, and adapted to engage a disabled tractor having a fifth wheel, said apparatus comprising: a) a forward lifting beam elongated between proximal and distal extremities, said proximal extremity having a flat mounting face angularly disposed with respect to the direction of said elongation and having a downwardly directed first coupling fixture,   b) a rear lifting beam elongated between first and second extremities, and having upper and lower surfaces, said first extremity being pivotally joined adjacent said lower surface to the distal extremity of said forward lifting beam, and said lower surface having adjacent said second extremity a downwardly directed second coupling fixture, and   c) hydraulically activated piston means associated with said forward lifting beam and pivotally interactive with the first extremity of said rear lifting beam adjacent the upper surface thereof in a manner to effectuate powered pivotal movement of said rear lifting beam in a vertical plane.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first coupling fixture is adapted to engage the fifth wheel of said towing vehicle, and said second coupling fixture is adapted to engage the fifth wheel of said disabled tractor. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 having a storage state wherein said rear lifting beam is in an upwardly directed disposition relative to said forward lifting beam. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said flat mounting face is disposed at an angle of between about 20 and 40 degrees with respect to the direction of elongation of said forward lifting beam. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said mounting face is pivotally associated with the proximal extremity of said forward lifting beam. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 3 having a vertical plane of symmetry. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said rear lifting beam is longer than said forward lifting beam. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the length of said lifting beam is telescopically adjustable. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said piston means, in a single direction of movement, achieves both the lowering of said rear lifting beam from its storage state and the lifting of said disabled tractor. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said rear lifting beam is provided with chain-holding means. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said rear lifting beam is provided with fold-away legs attached to said lower surface and adapted to be deployed downwardly and outwardly from said rear lifting beam to provide an A-shaped support enabling the apparatus to be self-standing when removed from said towing vehicle. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the pivoted joinder of said two beams includes abutment means which limit the extent of pivotal movement of said beams.